And as Kal pondered the shifting currents stirring throughout King's Landing—the surface turmoil and the darker tides beneath—
Samwell was instead troubled by whether it was proper for him to accompany Kal that evening to the banquet hosted by the Dornish prince.
"Would it really be appropriate for me to attend with you, my lord? That's a Dornish prince, after all. I heard my father once blocked his advance at the Prince's Pass."
Sam stood there timidly, looking rather frightened.
After all, he had heard plenty about the reputation of the Red Viper.
Seeing his expression, Kal grinned with malicious amusement.
"If he were to take offense at that, then he wouldn't be the Red Viper."
"But I imagine he might mock you—and through that, mock your father, Lord Randyll Tarly."
"Oh, and I've got good news for you. Varys told me that Lord Randyll Tarly seems to have heard about you and is currently on his way to King's Landing."
Hearing this so-called good news, the still-plump Samwell Tarly stood frozen on the spot, feeling as though even the sky had turned gray.
Looking at Kal Stone—who could speak such cold words with such a warm smile—Sam suddenly recalled that early morning when he'd been dragged into the forest.
Those bloodstained hands, skinning a deer while mercilessly and coldly threatening his father—it was as if the man with the knife was already on his way.
After frightening Sam, Kal couldn't be bothered to deal with him any further.
He still had a long way to go before becoming the future Samwell Tarly from the original story—a man who could be brave for the sake of what he must protect.
But Kal was no nursemaid. At most, he could support him.
What kind of man Sam would ultimately become depended on himself.
Picking up his staff, Kal helped the nearly fallen Robert Arryn back to his feet.
"All right, that's enough for today. We're done."
"But after you've had your meal, don't forget the rest of your lessons. I heard you had a quarrel with the septon who's been teaching you manners?"
"Remember to apologize later. He's a septon I had to swallow my pride to ask from the High Septon himself."
Hearing such cold words, the young Lord of the Eyrie couldn't help but shiver.
Fortunately, someone's arrival spared them further torment.
Kossi had officially become the chief steward serving Kal.
At that moment, he entered the training yard in haste, looking around until he spotted Kal, then quickly hurried over.
"My lord, the Hand has just sent word. Tomorrow, there will be a royal audience held in the Throne Hall. The Hand requests your attendance without fail."
"Will the King be attending?"
Hearing that a council meeting was to be held, Kal's instinctive reaction was to ask whether Robert would be coming.
During the period when Eddard Stark had served as Hand of the King, there had actually been few occasions that required holding a formal council meeting.
Even when there were, it was usually when he listened to the people's petitions on Robert's behalf or when certain matters required attention—only then would Eddard Stark grasp Robert's sword and sit upon the Iron Throne.
At this moment, however, to send such a solemn notice requiring attendance at a council meeting—it was clearly a rather formal occasion.
So Kal casually asked whether the King would be there.
Moreover, it was now the eve of the tourney, and nobles from all across the realm had gathered in King's Landing.
If Robert did not attend under such circumstances, then perhaps nothing of consequence would happen.
But if the King himself came, then he would certainly have something to say.
Hearing Kal's question, Kossi hurriedly nodded.
"The Hand gave special instructions—the King will also attend. Moreover, this council has extended invitations to many nobles presently in King's Landing."
"Seems the Throne Hall will be lively tomorrow."
Hearing this, Kal smiled faintly, already having an idea of what was to come.
After all, apart from the long-awaited 'cake-cutting,' he couldn't think of any matter that would warrant such formality.
Still, with so many people gathered, who could tell whether something unexpected might happen?
The thought made Kal somewhat curious.
The wind from the Red Keep's Throne Hall swept through the bustling streets and alleys of King's Landing.
All the nobles who had received notice from the Red Keep's steward were now busily making their own preparations.
At dawn the next day, as the first light touched the sky, five to six hundred nobles from the Seven Kingdoms had already assembled outside the Red Keep.
The Gold Cloaks, serving as the city's garrison, conducted strict inspections at the gates of the Red Keep to prevent anyone with ill intent—or assassins—from slipping in.
Those who passed inspection were guided by the Red Keep's attendants to proceed into the Throne Hall.
Kal stood by a window opening along the city wall, silently observing the people arriving below.
Jon Snow stood beside him.
"My lord," Jon said—he had been summoned here early by Kal and didn't quite understand why.
Of course, he knew there was to be a council meeting today, but it didn't seem to have much to do with him.
Even though he had received a notice to attend.
Kal gestured for him to stay silent.
Seeing this, Jon fell quiet, imitating Kal's posture as he watched the nobles filing into the Red Keep one by one.
After a while, as the crowd began to thin, Kal finally withdrew his gaze.
"These past days following Prince Oberyn—have you played so long you nearly forgot to return?"
Seeing how Jon had gradually become accustomed to wearing fine clothes, Kal suddenly teased him.
Jon didn't quite understand, but he replied honestly, "For some reason, Prince Oberyn has kept asking me to accompany him. I'd intended to come back as soon as I finished the task."
"I haven't even had time to see my father yet."
Jon thought Kal was rebuking him for idling about, and he explained helplessly.
He had indeed wanted to return to King's Landing as soon as possible—especially after hearing that his father, Eddard Stark, had already returned to court with the King.
But he didn't understand why the Prince of Dorne kept clinging to him, even going so far as to have his own daughter try to seduce him.
At that thought, Jon felt aggrieved.
During this period, he had been utterly unable to withstand the constant pestering of those so-called famous Sand Snakes—particularly since, after he had clearly refused them, the women seemed even more eager.
It had even escalated into inexplicable fights among them.
To avoid trouble, he had been forced to hide with Prince Oberyn and his lover, Ellaria Sand, in a brothel.
Yet even there, those women had managed to corner him again, leaving him with no escape.
What was worse, the Prince and his lover had even tried to invite him to join some kind of "game."
At that thought, Jon felt his backside tighten, a chill creeping up his spine.
Seeing Jon's pitiful expression, Kal merely patted his shoulder in comfort—then a wicked smile crossed his face.
"Relax. I'm not reproaching you for anything, Jon."
"Though I've heard quite a few tales about your love life, what I really want to ask is—during your time with Prince Oberyn Martell, what impression do you have of the Red Viper?"
"To be honest, I'm curious why they chose to come to King's Landing at this very moment."
Faced with Kal's teasing, Jon's face flushed red.
But when it came to the following question, he was at a loss.
He thought for a while, only to realize he couldn't find the right words to describe that man—nor did he understand his purpose.
"Prince Oberyn… well—he's very passionate, um…"
"Forgive me, Ser Kal, but I truly don't know what Prince Oberyn Martell is thinking."
All right—Kal now knew he had asked in vain.
After all, for the Red Viper, toying with such a green youth was hardly any challenge at all.
Still, Kal hadn't expected to learn any secrets about Dorne's internal affairs or intentions from him anyway.
After attending Oberyn's banquet the previous night and bringing Jon back, he had seen firsthand that the Red Viper Prince was simply exchanging pleasantries.
Even as for the reason Oberyn had come to King's Landing, Kal had yet to uncover any real clue.
But when the banquet had ended, he happened to encounter Arianne Martell returning from outside—and that had sparked a thought.
Perhaps that woman could serve as a breakthrough point.
Recalling the way she had acted in the original story, Kal had some confidence in his own looks and charm.
"Enough, I won't trouble you further. Let's talk business."
Hearing this, Jon let out a sigh of relief.
"Yes, my lord."
Since Kal Stone had sent for him early in the morning, Jon had known there must be something important to discuss.
He just hadn't expected Kal to act like Prince Oberyn—playing coy and toying with suspense so skillfully.
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